John Clay's Sidelines

Big Blue Links for Friday:

- The Kentucky women play LSU at 3:30 today in the SEC women’s tournament in Nashville. Fox South South is televising the tournament. Also on tap today is a UK basketball media opp this afternoon previewing Sunday’s game at Tennessee. Check back on the blog for video, etc. Kentucky baseball plays Rice in Houston tonight at 8:00.

- Brandon Knight leads this blog’s UK Most Valuable Player voting, with Josh Harrellson currently running second.

- Stan Simpson scores 16 points as Kenny Payne looks on, reports Scott Anderson of Nation of Blue.

- Kentucky’s remaining basketball targets get the list treatment from Kentucky Sports Network.

- Here are the 15 conference figures with the most to worry about in 2011-12, according to Mr. SEC. Joker Phillips and Mitch Barnhart are both on the list.

- Kentucky lost more than $250,000 on its bowl game, says a Herald-Leader wire report. I can remember Hal Mumme being furious when we ran a 1998 story saying that UK would lose money on the Outback Bowl. He never denied the facts of the story, he was just made we reported it.

- John Calipari is the highest-paid college basketball coach, reports Forbes.

- Kentucky women are made for tournament play, says Jennifer Smith of the Herald-Leader. Matthew Mitchell thinks the Cats’ high-energy, aggressive style will pay benefits thanks to a first-round bye. He hopes UK gets a tired LSU in the quarters today.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Phillips, Barnhart make worry list; Simpson shines’

(H-L photo/Pablo Alcala)

Big Blue Links for Friday:

• Get to know the power players on UK sidelines at interactive site from the H-L.
• Kentucky men running out of time, reports Jerry Tipton of the H-L.
• Mathies layup lifts Kentucky over Arkansas 55-54, reports Jennifer Smith of the H-L.
• Victoria Dunlap hits all the right notes in home finale, says Mark Story of the H-L.
• Heart-stopping win for UK women, writes T.J. Walker of the Kentucky Kernel.
• Group wants Billy Gillispie at Texas Tech, writes Jon Arnold of the Daily Toreador.
• Some question method of Lacey’s record, writes Gregg Dewalt of the Times Dailey.
• To be the best is Marquis Teague’s goal, says Brett Carney of WLEX-TV.
• Wiltjer ready to return to action, writes Kerry Eggers of the Portland Tribune.
• Brett Dawson of C-J reports that Calipari believes Kentucky needs to get angry.
• Meaning of  three-point sign is unclear, writes Nick Craddock of the Kernel.
• Road woes raise March questions about Cats, writes Jeff Eisenberg for Yahoo.
• It was deja vu in Fayetteville, writes Tom Leach.
• Does Calipari have to accept blame for close losses? asks Larry Vaught of A-M.

Continue reading ‘BBL: New Billy Gillispie group; Lacey scoring controversy’

(Online Athens photo)

Big Blue Links for Friday:

• Kentucky to be in Hall of Fame Tipoff field next year, reports the Tampa Tribune.
• Billy Gillispie says Wyoming a great place, reports Casper Tribune.
• Lady Dogs slam visiting UK women, writes Roger Clarkson of the Banner-Herald.
• Kentucky women just outhustled, reports Jen Smith of the H-L from Athens.
• Lady Dogs cruise past Cats, writes Ryan Black of Red and Black.
• Georgia’s collapse against Vandy did UK no favors, and other notes, from me.
• It’s the battle for the bye, says Tom Leach.
• Expect faster, lower-scoring UK baseball games, says Mark Maloney of the H-L.
• Kentucky baseball looking for fresh start, writes Ethan Levine of the Kernel.
• Baseball newcomers need to make impact, writes Eric Lindsey for Cat Scraches.
• L.J. Rose will visit Kentucky, reports High School Hoop.
• Cats need to come out on fire, says Larry Vaught of the Danville A-M.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Kentucky to be in 2011 Hall of Fame tipoff field’

Big Blue Links for Thursday:

• Some trustees say Todd should have consulted them, reports the Herald-Leader.
• Reaction says ESPN is insane with use of SkyCam, writes Awful Announcing.
• Kentucky fans go after Renardo Sidney, says WLEX’s Alan Cutler.
• Cats get much-needed win over Mississippi State, writes Jerry Tipton of the H-L.
• Kentucky runs by State 85-79, writes Will Graves for the AP.
• Stansbury’s missteps send Cats on their way to win, says my game column.
• Controversial first-half ending gives UK momentum, writes C-L’s Brandon Marcello.
• State falls apart in the second half, writes Brad Locke of the Daily Journal.
• Doron Lamb bounces back, writes Matt May of the Cats Pause.
• Loss spoils homecoming for State’s Benock, says Chuck Jones of News-Enterprise.
• Wyoming hires search firm that brought Billy G. to UK, blogs All Ky Hoops.
• Steve Brown staying put for now, says Bleed Blue Kentucky.

Continue reading ‘ESPN’s DizzyCam, Sidney’s cell, Steve Brown, more BBL’

(H-L photo/Pablo Alcala)

Big Blue Links for Thursday:

• Lance Coleman: Mike Stuart, the ref who ejected Calipari, talks about being a ref.
• Chris Resor: DeAndre Daniels expected to commit to Kansas today.
• Jennifer Smith: Maegan Conwright settling in at point guard for UK women.
• Chip Cosby: Resilient Pittsburgh expects to be ready for Kentucky in bowl game.
• Paul Zeise: Penn State’s Tom Bradley likely to get Pittsburgh job.
• John Clay: Michigan football with Rich Rod is where UK basketball was with Billy G.
• Jerry Tipton: SEC basketball may not be as bad as it looks.
• Mark Maloney: UK basketball shows improvement in the classroom.
• Richard Skinner: Terrence Jones needs to step it up.
• Brett Dawson: Brandon Knight is only a freshman, but already a leader.
• Rick Bozich: Louisville learns from its loss to Kentucky, whips Seton Hall.
• Larry Vaught: Randy Sanders says Pitt defense has SEC-like qualities.
• Eric Lindsey: Visit to Civil Rights museum offers perspective for UK football players.
• Ira Combs: These basketball Cats are starting to gel.
• Wildcat-Den: Calipari says SEC East will be a beast.

(AP photo/Al Behrman)

Big Blue Links for Thursday:

• Pitt hires Miami of Ohio’s Michael Haywood as football coach, reports Paul Ziese of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
• Chris Dufrense of the Los Angeles Times ranks the BBVA Compass Bowl as the worst of the 35 bowls. (Hat tip Nation of Blue.)
• You can check out UK basketball signee Anthony Davis on television tonight.
• Keyla Snowden is getting a jump on her television career, reports Jen Smith of the H-L.
• Sean Woods makes his home on the road, writes Jerry Tipton of the Herald-Leader.
• John Calipari is nominated for U.N. peace award.
• Calipari is proud of DeAndre Liggins, writes Richard Skinner of the Cincinnati Enquirer.
• Pitino expected to accept Puerto Rico national team coaching job on Monday, reports Jeff Caplan of ESPNDallas.com. (Hat tip All Kentucky Hoops)
• John Wall’s latest frustration is a knee ailment, reports Michael Lee of the Washington Post.
• Billy Gillispie may give Pat Knight a reason to worry at Texas Tech, writes Lee Barfknecht of the Omaha World. (Hat tip Aaron’s UK Basketball Blog.)

Continue reading ‘BBL: L.A. Times picks UK’s bowl as worst of 35′

Gary Bedore of the Lawrence Journal-World has a pair of interesting nuggets this morning:

• Ex-UK coach Billy Gillispie, who reportedly checked himself into the John Lucas rehab facility in early September, was in Lawrence to attend former boss Bill Self’s coaching clinic. Said Gillispie, “I came here because I’m great friends not only to coach (Self), but the entire staff. I feel very honored. I’m definitely missing the game, and I love watching practice, those kind of things, but coach has been so good to me. I would never have had any opportunities if not for him. He’s got such a great staff and leadership up top starting with (athletic director) Lew Perkins. This place … what a beautiful facility they’ve built. I’m just having a great time visiting here.”

• And UK target Adreian Payne has canceled his visit to Kansas and will choose among Kentucky, Arizona, West Virginia and Michigan State.

Reminder: UK Basketball Media Day is today. Be sure and join the Liveblog/Livechat for Calipari’s press conference at 2:30. Then look back here on the blog and on kentuckysports.com for videos, reports, etc.

Update: Bluegrass State Basketball passes along this John Wall comic. Not for the weak of stomach.

Big Blue Links for Thursday:

• Jerry Tipton of the Herald-Leader has the rundown on the recruits scheduled to visit Big Blue Madness.
• Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader writes that UK’s offensive line has come a long way.
• My column giving the pros and cons on starting Morgan Newton at Auburn.
• Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger says his sources confirm Newton will start Saturday.
• A Sea of Blue writes on the possible Newton start.
• C-J report on UK offensive lineman Jake Lanefski being lost for the season.
• Doron Lamb’s father tells Bruce Pascoe of the Arizona Daily Star that his son will visit UK on the 23rd.
• Connor Orr of the Daily Orange writes that Syracuse has a shot with UK target Tobias Harris. (Hat tip to Aaron’s UK Basketball Blog.)
• Michael Grant of the Courier-Journal writes on Auburn quarterback Chris Todd, former star at Elizabethtown.
• Jay Tate of the Montgomery Advertiser writes on the Auburn defense.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Top recruits on Friday, Newton on Saturday?’

Morgan Newton

Update: H-L’s Chip Cosby is on WKYT on-line with ex-UK defensive back Leonard Burress. And Morgan Newton’s father is scheduled to be on at 9:40 a.m.

Big Blue Links for Wednesday:

• Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader writes that coaches are mum on whether it will be Morgan Newton or Will Fidler at quarterback for UK on Saturday.
• I was on WVLK-590 in Lexington with Larry Glover last night, and caller swore that he knew for 100 percent fact that players have already been told that Newton is the guy. I should point out that it’s in the first 10 minutes or so of the podcast, I think.
• Ryan Alessi of the Herald-Leader reports on the $3 million Billy Gillispie agreement with UK.
• Both sides agree not to speak ill of the other.
• Jerry Tipton of the Herald-Leader writes on DeAndre Liggins.
• Doron Lamb tells Zagsblog he will visit either UK or UConn on Oct. 23, but says UK, Oklahoma and Kansas are his top three.
• The H-L’s Jennifer Smith writes on Rebecca Gray’s second chance with UK hoops’ team.
• Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal reports that Jake Lanefski could miss Auburn game.
• Mary Jo Perino of WLEX reports that Joker Phillips thinks the Cats are no joke.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Could Morgan Newton be the guy? UK isn’t saying’

So who got the better of the $2.98 million settlement between Kentucky and ex-UK basketball coach Billy Gillispie?

I say Kentucky is lucky it didn’t have to pay more, considering that it tried to play it both ways with the infamous “Memorandum of Understanding.”

And I wonder if Gillispie’s side was afraid that his reluctance to sign the contract, meaning he was open to the argument that he never intended to sign it, put the former coach in a weaker position.

I’m no attorney, but I really don’t see how is DUI figured into the equation. It would come down to whether a judge or jury believed the MOU was a valid contract.

What say you?